Techniques and hardware to reduce point source pollution of water with pesticides; a UK TOPPS perspective on predicted current practice and where future training may need emphasis

摘要

The TOPPS initiative has appraised UK spraying practices to help identify where its future activities will be best directed to complement other initiatives such as the Crop Protection's Voluntary Initiative. This study found that most aspects of sprayer operator's use of pesticides already fully conform to those now stated by TOPPS Best Management Practices. Some areas where improvements may be gained with its targeted training activities are likely to include descriptions of those practices and hardware that will reduce water polluting risks when pesticides are being transported and/or held in mobile stores, the choice and use of sites for filling sprayers and their subsequent external cleaning. Costs to pesticide users of these changes are likelyto be low since most gains will be won through greater awareness of how to improve existing practices. Where purchases may need to be made, they are likely to be not restrictive since the introduction of sealed transit boxes, portable bunds - for example- is not considered to be prohibitive.